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E39 (1997 - 2003) The BMW 5-Series (E39 chassis) was introduced in the United States as a 1997 model year car and lasted until the 2004 when the E60 chassis was released. The United States saw several variations including the 525i, 528i, 530i and 540i. -- View the E39 Wiki

Interesting thing compared to the e30, the e39 guide bolt torque values are lower (only by a pound or 2) and the lug bolt torque is much higher even though there is one extra (5 vs 4). The lateral forces are much higher though with 700 extra pounds of steel working against 30mm width more of rubber (195 vs 225).

IIRC, we had trouble with one or two of the specs, where users (JimLev?, RDL?) pitched in to find the missing specs in the BMW E39 TIS.

For reference, the actual thread which contains all this is here:
- One user's example of a complete brake job with all torque figures, specs, measurements, fluids, decisions, tools, tricks, mistakes, suppliers, costs, etc., that it entails (1)

Just be sure to read that backward when looking up the specs as we did update them once or twice. For example, this is what the team compiled at post #198 of that thread.

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See also: E39 Bestlinks & How to easily find what you need

IIRC, we had trouble with one or two of the specs, where users (JimLev?, RDL?) pitched in to find the missing specs in the BMW E39 TIS.

For reference, the actual thread which contains all this is here:
- One user's example of a complete brake job with all torque figures, specs, measurements, fluids, decisions, tools, tricks, mistakes, suppliers, costs, etc., that it entails (1)

Just be sure to read that backward when looking up the specs as we did update them once or twice. For example, this is what the team compiled at post #198 of that thread.

My biggest beef with the Bentleys is they scatter the necessary specs about, and they miss some critical specs.

__________________

Please read the suggested threads, where the best always add value to those threads, either by pictures or by descriptions, so the next person with the same problem stands on your shoulders.
See also: E39 Bestlinks & How to easily find what you need

My biggest beef with the Bentleys is they scatter the necessary specs about, and they miss some critical specs.

Yea but 99% of the time problems that are posted on the forums can be answered in the manuals. It's a great tool for quick reference. Tis.spaggettie coder doesn't have the complete manuals so if you're going off that you're wrong

Yea but 99% of the time problems that are posted on the forums can be answered in the manuals.

Well, it's more like 75%, as I don't think the DIYs for some things are in the manuals.
- Do others feel the Bentley manuals are useless for some DIY tasks (1)

For example, the power steering fluid reservoir flushes and hose fixes, the home alignment DIYs, the motive oil extraction DIYs, even an alternator rebuild or cooling system DIY are severely lacking in the Bentleys.

Likewise with most of the most common repairs, e.g., there's not much about how to troubleshoot and repair the ABS trifecta, they don't really cover the VANOS seals, certainly the repair for the headlight adjusters is lacking in the Bentleys as is the FSU repair. I don't think the rear vapor seals are covered directly - although they're covered in the section on replacing the window regulator in the TIS. I don't remember the windshield trim being covered in the Bentleys, nor the old-style jack pads that fall off.

The Bentley doesn't say how to replace a worn roundel, or how to repair the trunk loom wiring, nor the MID & cluster pixel tape lifting repair, or even how to replace the broken cupholders.

It doesn't adequately cover removing all the cracked wood trim, nor the seat covers which cover the harness for the seat and steering wheel tilt. Nor does the Bentley really cover the repairs to the windshield reservoir motors.

The Bentley DOES have brake stuff though.

I would change your answer to this:
While about 75% of the repairs are covered in the Bentleys, about 99% of all the problems E39 owners will experience have already been covered in the forums!

__________________

Please read the suggested threads, where the best always add value to those threads, either by pictures or by descriptions, so the next person with the same problem stands on your shoulders.
See also: E39 Bestlinks & How to easily find what you need

Well, it's more like 75%, as I don't think the DIYs for some things are in the manuals.
- Do others feel the Bentley manuals are useless for some DIY tasks (1)

For example, the power steering fluid reservoir flushes and hose fixes, the home alignment DIYs, the motive oil extraction DIYs, even an alternator rebuild or cooling system DIY are severely lacking in the Bentleys.

Likewise with most of the most common repairs, e.g., there's not much about how to troubleshoot and repair the ABS trifecta, they don't really cover the VANOS seals, certainly the repair for the headlight adjusters is lacking in the Bentleys as is the FSU repair. I don't think the rear vapor seals are covered directly - although they're covered in the section on replacing the window regulator in the TIS. I don't remember the windshield trim being covered in the Bentleys, nor the old-style jack pads that fall off.

The Bentley doesn't say how to replace a worn roundel, or how to repair the trunk loom wiring, nor the MID & cluster pixel tape lifting repair, or even how to replace the broken cupholders.

It doesn't adequately cover removing all the cracked wood trim, nor the seat covers which cover the harness for the seat and steering wheel tilt. Nor does the Bentley really cover the repairs to the windshield reservoir motors.

The Bentley DOES have brake stuff though.

I would change your answer to this:
While about 75% of the repairs are covered in the Bentleys, about 99% of all the problems E39 owners will experience have already been covered in the forums!

Well regular problems (cup holders is pretty easy to figure out without manuals) with my 4 years with my car not one thing I needed to fix wasnt in the manuals.

Well regular problems (cup holders is pretty easy to figure out without manuals) with my 4 years with my car not one thing I needed to fix wasnt in the manuals.

I agree cupholders are 'relatively' easy to figure out (they only have two screws, after all) ... and I admire that you find the Bentleys sufficient - as I find them absolutely horrid.

I think the difference is that I have no mechanical abilities whatsoever - and you probably have decent abilities.

So, we're starting from different points!

__________________

Please read the suggested threads, where the best always add value to those threads, either by pictures or by descriptions, so the next person with the same problem stands on your shoulders.
See also: E39 Bestlinks & How to easily find what you need